Mostly accessible visitor centre with great bird watching
4
4
Date of visit: May 2025
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Good
Sumburgh Lighthouse was our first visit on a 2 week tour of Shetland and it didn't disappoint! We enjoyed it so much, we are trying to fit in a 2nd visit before we leave. Once you get up there, it is fairly flat and easy to get around. Most of the visitor centre is accessible and many of the viewing areas are too.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Most of the buildings are wheelchair accessible. The Marine Life exhibition has a lift. I couldn't access the WW2 bunker or the fog horn, as they both had steps. Outdoors was easy to get around and there are multiple viewing platforms which are accessible for wheelchairs.
Parking & Transport
Average
We arrived by motorhome and parked in the lower car park. There is an upper car park for blue badge holders, but spaces are limited and not suitable for longer vehicles. This meant we had a serious climb to get up to the lighthouse. It isn't far and there are good places to stop and watch the sea birds on the way, but it took a good half hour of me and hubby working together to get up to the top.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
There are two unisex accessible toilets, provided and maintained by the people who run the centre. They were clean, well equipped and easy to access.
Staff
Excellent
All staff were very welcoming and friendly. They couldn't do enough to help!
